Timing Belt Change

[PeaveyBassist]

I did a search and came up with nothing. I went to the local foreign car shop place and the timing belt cost $285 to have them change it. I figure that if I can save myself $250 by buying the belt and doing it myself, I would be one happy camper. I looked through the Bentley's instructions on how to do it. I know that Bentley sometimes leaves out things. Car is a 1991 325i. Anything that isnt in the Bentley that I need to know?

Will

[Addissimo]

should probably post this in the general main. section... but as far as the manual goes... bently is pretty true to whats going on, so i'd assume you'd be fine using the manual.

-Addis

[cahomey]

Take your hood off and start taking shit off.
You will get to the TB eventually.

[PeaveyBassist]

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1929

I just found this on e30tech.com so if anyone is looking for a TB change writeup...there ya go.

Will

[Brew]

You're going to want to replace the water pump and the timing belt tensioner at the same time. You also may want to replace your belts and coolant hoses.

As for the job itself, I would recommend removing the hood and pulling the radiatior.

[PeaveyBassist]

If I do it myself, I will be changing all coolant hoses, all belts, water pump, and TB tensioner. I will still save LOADS of money doing it myself. TB = about $20. Having a shop do it = $285 :shock: That means I save about $250 doing it myself over a shop. Plus I will be able to replace some extra stuff along the way.

Will

[PeaveyBassist]

You're going to want to replace the water pump and the timing belt tensioner at the same time. You also may want to replace your belts and coolant hoses.

As for the job itself, I would recommend removing the hood and pulling the radiatior.

How hard is it to get the hood lined up correctly after you take it off?

Will

[Rich V]

How hard is it to get the hood lined up correctly after you take it off?

Easy. You can usually see the mark from the previous installation.

[Brew]

If I do it myself, I will be changing all coolant hoses, all belts, water pump, and TB tensioner. I will still save LOADS of money doing it myself. TB = about $20. Having a shop do it = $285 :shock: That means I save about $250 doing it myself over a shop. Plus I will be able to replace some extra stuff along the way.

Will

Since its your first time, expect to spend at least 5 hours on it.

[Charlie]

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1929

I just found this on e30tech.com so if anyone is looking for a TB change writeup...there ya go.

Will

Will someone give me the URL of the first of the pics on that post? I know they go chronologically after that.

The admin of e30tech is a douchenozzle.

-Charlie

[PeaveyBassist]

Should be here. All the way up to pic 28.

http://www.e30tech.com/pictures/m42/1.jpg

Since its your first time, expect to spend at least 5 hours on it.

I expected to possibly spend a whole Saturday/Sunday in case something "bad" happens. I will probably do it 2 weekends from this one. I am picking up my new 91 325i on the 5th (this saturday) and then 2 weekends from then I will be doing the TB change. I will let everybody know how it goes. I'm kinda excited.

Will